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PS4 or Xbox One: Which system should you get?

By Gieson Cacho, San Jose Mercury News

Posted:
11/28/2013 08:04:52 AM MST

This video game image released by Ubisoft shows a scene from â œAssassinâ s Creed IV: Black Flag.â (AP Photo/Ubisoft)

With the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One officially out, the big question on gamers' minds is which one to pick up for the holidays. The two systems reflect different philosophies when it comes to winning the hearts of consumers.

Sony's PlayStation 4 is laser-focused on gamers. The company has bent over backward to win that segment's good will, listening to their input and those of developers. Sony has built a console to accommodate their demands. Meanwhile, Microsoft has designed an ambitious system aimed at being an all-in-one entertainment center. Games are just one element of a living room device meant for a mainstream audience.

In terms of raw features, the systems are close. The PS4 has a slight edge on power, while the Xbox One has a better user interface. They both boast voice commands and a second screen experience via smartphone apps and other devices. For every advantage one console has, the other counters with a feature that you can't live without.

Want to watch ESPN? Sports fans can do that on the Xbox One. If they subscribe to NBA League Pass, though, they will need a PS4 to take advantage of that. The whole situation Balkanizes the entertainment options for the two systems, but I find myself using the Xbox One more because of the user interface. It's slick and fast, and the new Kinect makes navigating the console effortless and futuristic. It's going to teach a generation of kids to talk to gadgets instead of jabbing at buttons to activate them.

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One of the cornerstones of this generation is the social component — and that's where the PS4 has the upper hand. It's much easier to capture video and share screenshots with friends on Sony's machine. Given this simplicity, there's a better chance for content to go viral on the PS4. Add on Twitch streaming, and the system has a leg up on the Xbox One, which will add on the service's broadcasting in 2014.

Ultimately, though, it's the games that will determine the winner. If you ask me which one I want for the holiday season, I'd pick the Xbox One, based on its stronger launch lineup and titles in the near future, such as “Titanfall.” But over the long run, the PlayStation 4 likely has the edge. If Sony has proven anything this year with “The Last of Us” and the “Puppeteer,” it's that they have a stellar stable of first-party developers.

The price point — it's a better value at $399 — and its strong relationship with indie developers will give Sony the leg up for this generation.

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